Tuesday, April 28, 2026

AI aids conservationists in saving red squirrels

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Genysys Engine

Whiskers help the AI identify what is – and isn’t – a red squirrel

A new AI tool called Squirrel Agent can distinguish between grey and red squirrels with 97% accuracy, making it a valuable tool for conservationists. It can even control access to squirrel feeders, ensuring the right squirrels get the right food. This technology, developed by Genysys Engine, is currently being tested in the UK with promising results.

Grey squirrels have caused a decline in red squirrel populations, especially in England and Wales. The tech aims to help preserve red squirrels by providing targeted support based on individual squirrel identification, focusing on unique features like whiskers.

Genysys Engine A grey squirrel on a tree near a feeder
Genysys Engine

The tech is being trialled in a number of UK woodlands

The AI tool’s future potential lies in individual animal identification through whisker analysis. This could help track family lines and monitor populations more effectively. Other examples of AI in conservation include the World Wildlife Fund’s use of AI to locate surviving animals after bushfires in Australia.

Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

Distinguish/dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ/verb
To recognize or ascertain what makes something different.

Conservationists/ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃənɪsts/noun
People who advocate for the protection of the environment and wildlife.

Technology/tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/noun
The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

Identification/aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/noun
The action or process of identifying someone or something.

Preserve/prɪˈzɜːrv/verb
To maintain something in its original state or in good condition.

Whiskers/ˈwɪskərz/noun
Long projecting hairs or bristles growing from the face of certain mammals used for tactile sensation.
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Distinguish/dɪˈstɪŋ.ɡwɪʃ/verb
To recognize or ascertain what makes something different.
Conservationists/ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃənɪsts/noun
People who advocate for the protection of the environment and wildlife.
Technology/tɛkˈnɒlədʒi/noun
The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
Identification/aɪˌdɛntɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/noun
The action or process of identifying someone or something.
Preserve/prɪˈzɜːrv/verb
To maintain something in its original state or in good condition.
Whiskers/ˈwɪskərz/noun
Long projecting hairs or bristles growing from the face of certain mammals used for tactile sensation.

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